Alumni The 2027 U.S. Congress Will Seat the Most Cornellians in Half a Century Stories You May Like Cornellian Crossword: ‘Back Home on the Hill’ Language of Lynah: How Well Do You Know Your Hockey Chants? Cornellian Crossword: ‘Homes on the Hill’ With the general election results in, two new representatives will bring the total number of alumni on Capitol Hill to nine By Joe Wilensky When the 120th U.S. Congress convenes in January 2027, it will have the highest number of Cornellians serving in its ranks in more than 50 years. Election Day 2026 saw two alumni newly elected to the House of Representatives, which will bring the total to eight members in the House and one in the Senate. According to Big Red history expert Corey Ryan Earle ’07, the last time there were this many Cornellians on Capitol Hill was 1975, when the 94th Congress counted nine alumni representatives and one senator (Democrat Edmund Muskie, LLB 1939, of Maine). Rebecca Bennett ’09. Don Leonard, PhD ’14. The two Cornellians elected to their first terms in November 2026 are Democrats who defeated Republican incumbents: Rebecca Bennett ’09 in New Jersey’s 7th District and Don Leonard, PhD ’14, in Ohio’s 15th. Bennett majored in chemical engineering on the Hill, while Leonard earned a doctorate in government. Stories You May Like Cornellian Crossword: ‘Back Home on the Hill’ Language of Lynah: How Well Do You Know Your Hockey Chants? The last time there were this many Cornellians on Capitol Hill was 1975, when the 94th Congress counted nine alumni representatives and one senator. The two Congressional freshmen will join six re-elected representatives. They are: Democrats Katherine Clark, JD ’89, (Massachusetts), Sharice Davids, JD ’10 (Kansas), and Melanie Stansbury, MS ’07 (New Mexico), and Republicans Clay Fuller, MPA ’06 (Georgia), Dan Meuser ’88 (Pennsylvania), and Beth Van Duyne ’95 (Texas). (One other Congressman-elect has a Cornell connection: Dr. Adam Hamawy, a Democrat from New Jersey, did his residency in general surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine.) The sole Big Red senator is Elissa Slotkin ’98. A Democrat from Michigan, she was elected to her first six-year term 2024 after having served three terms in the House. Top: Photo illustration by Cornell University; portraits provided. Published November 4, 2026 Comments Su-Mei Kao, Class of 1990 5 Nov, 2026 Great news! Looking forward to meeting them on the Hill soon. Reply Michael Parkinson, Class of 1975 10 Nov, 2026 “Any person …for the greatest good” Congratulations and thanks to all Cornellians willing to take up the challenge and opportunity of elected office’ Reply Daniel R Martin, Class of 1958 10 Nov, 2026 Let’s hope these Cornellians will be able to stop the administration from cutting research funding of universities. This has done much damage as researchers found their projects abruptly interrupted – causing some of them to emigrate to other countries. Reply Lois Pape Dam, Class of 1958 10 Nov, 2026 I agree, Dan. Reply MarianAnn Montgomery, Class of 1982 10 Nov, 2026 I agree. We need to restore funding for science research. Reply John F Gruen, Class of 1966 10 Nov, 2026 I agree completely. Scientific research is sorely needed to practically everything in this great country (or formerly greatest country). Reply Howard FRIES, Class of 1974 10 Nov, 2026 I hope that they will vote based on reality, common sense and what is really good for the American people and not follow the ilks of AOC, Syed-whatever, Bernie and Warren . . . But I doubt it Reply Robert Weagley, Class of 1985 10 Nov, 2026 I encourage them to leave any xenophobic or cultural biases they might have at home before they go. Our country is so diverse and the strengths garnered from that diversity are much too few. I wish them well and to spend their time with a focus on the needs of the people for the future. Those are what the people have asked for, as well as need. Leave the cross party fighting and vindictive impeachments on the the cutting room floor. Reply MarianAnn Montgomery, Class of 1982 10 Nov, 2026 I agree Reply Monica Ryser Cseri, Class of 1982 10 Nov, 2026 Well I am hopeful that they will bring change and implement practical solutions – and bring a bit fairness across America- it’s possible- with solid programs that address every day working class issues such as housing, transport, fair wages and access to healthcare. BTW the new senators name is El-Sayed. The strength of America economically and culturally still remains its diversity and inclusion of all. Reply Janice Tillo, Class of 1981 10 Nov, 2026 I’m with you, Howard. Reply Angelo Alberto, Class of 1982 10 Nov, 2026 I echo Mr. Fries’ ’74 comment. Will the 6 “D’s” advocate for American exceptionalism, safe borders and returning manufacturing to the US? Reply David Hugle, Class of 1956 10 Nov, 2026 Looks like the Cornell class in the new Congress will mirror the blue wave. Let’s make good on the promise. Reply GEORGE A RUOTH, Class of 1988 12 Nov, 2026 May these distinguished legislators lift the Big Red Flag internationally. Trump has dragged the US through the mud! Reply Irwin Scharf, Class of 1956 12 Nov, 2026 I find it interesting that all are DEMOCRATS. The Cornell education they received opened their eyes to the party philosophy that wants to do the the most good for our Country. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. 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